serving the communities of Stanmore, Badger Farm, Olivers Battery, and Winchester Village.
Christian Aid speakers from Burundi speak at the Re.vive Cafe
Friday 1st March 2024
1st March 2024, Christian Aid Burundi speakers at the Re.vive Cafe.
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Last Friday, we welcomed a contingent from Christian Aid Burundi to St Mark’s. Thanks to Charlotte Scott, who is member of our PCC and employee of Christian Aid, the visit was a success.
Many from the wider Winchester community joined us to learn about their impactful work. Let's continue to support and pray for the people of Burundi as they create positive change.The words we were invited to speak were heartfelt, and we want to again convey to everyone in the Parish and to Marianne, our commitment to serving you as best we are able.
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National Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast
Tuesday June 27th 2023
On Tuesday 27th June Marianne joined other church leaders from Winchester to attend the National Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast with Steve Brine (our local MP).
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The National Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast, which is organised by Christians in Parliament, is an annual opportunity for Parliamentarians and their guests to gather for a variety of speeches, music and prayer.
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Marianne had an early start and joined Rev Marcus Dickinson from Winchester Baptist Church, Rev Steve Chick from Hope Church Winchester, Rev Simon Cansdale from Christ Church Winchester, and Debbie Sellin Bishop of Southampton.
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You can read more about it here in the Hampshire Chronicle.
Using the links above, take a moment to remind ourselves of others serving in our city, and to pray for them and the churches
Tom and Brian appointed as Church Wardens
15th June 2023
15th June, Tom and Brian attend formal appointment of Church Wardens service at Romsey Abbey
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On Thursday 15th June our Church Wardens, myself and Brian attended a service to formally appoint Church Wardens at Romsey Abbey. We were accompanied and supported by Marianne and Sue.
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The words we were invited to speak were heartfelt, and we want to again convey to everyone in the Parish and to Marianne, our commitment to serving you as best we are able.
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On the evening at Romsey Abbey, Gary Philbrick spoke about caring but not worrying. Taking care not to become anxious, but to deeply care and with God’s help, bring faith and confidence that God will lead us all, and he will provide. We commit ourselves to this task. Many thanks .
John Le Riche Thanksgiving
Friday February 17th 2023
On Friday 17th February friends and family gathered at St. Lukes to give thanks for John's life.
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Tributes were given from John's daughter, and his friends and colleagues from the Scouting movement, as well as a short reflection from Marianne.
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“Dad had 3 loves in his life: his family, his Scouting, and his faith.”
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These words from John's daughter seemed to capture all the stories we heard. His life was a life of faithful, selfless service, and lived well.
John had chosen the songs for this service, and we gave thanks to God for his love for us, and our eternal hope in him.
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John's friends from Scouting explained the circle of stones displayed on the stage were the sign in a Scouting expedition that the expedition was completed and it was time to go home.
As Marianne said, this was a very sad for us all, and that we miss John greatly. But for John, it was time to return home and be with his heavenly Father.
New teaching series - Lectio
On Sunday 5th February 2023, Marianne gave the second talk in ourteaching series called Lectio - based on the 24-7 Prayer course and book which some of us are following in our home groups. Listen here.
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"​ Learning to hear God’s voice – his word and his whisper – is the single most important thing you will ever learn to do.” (Pete Greig)
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The Lectio Course is a free small group resource from 24-7 Prayer which will equip you and your community to learn how to hear God by praying the Bible."
It was an amazing morning together, listening to his story, and learning more about the work David and Helen have been doing over the last few decades.
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Crib Services - the Angel Academy
Christmas Eve at 5pm
St Marks Church, Olivers Battery
St Lukes, Stanmore Lane
Our annual Crib Service written by Jane Bates​
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A highlight of our year is always the crib service, written by Jane Bates.
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As usual, this was a popular, slightly silly evening, with bad acting, and a wonderful message.
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The service contained carols, some short sketches bringing to life to story of the nativity, and was a success at making this a highly entertaining and enjoyable evening for children, and adults :-)
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The particular theme this year was that of an Angel Academy, including angel training, deployment, and the confusion of 4 wise men, one of whom has mislaid his present.
Shiv shares about Asha
Shiv visited the 10.30 service to share about the work of Asha - a charity we are supporting through David and Helen Finch.
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Shiv was born into slums, but through Asha's support, now has two masters degrees and is now working with Asha to serve the communities into which he was born.
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It was an amazing morning together, listening to his story, and learning more about the work David and Helen have been doing over the last few decades.
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